A Nasty Letter I Object Strongly To

Here's a short, nasty letter that appeared in today's Free Press and my response:

Disgusting article

Re: A tearful plea for son's life (Sept. 13).

I found the article about this crazed, animal-like man (Alfonso Rodriguez) to be very disgusting. I do not know why any members of this family should be allowed any time or space in any media to claim his actions were in any way not his own fault.

ROBERT S. PORTER

Winnipeg

Robert S. Porter’s venomous letter regarding “crazed, animal-like man” Alfonso Rodriguez displayed a surprisingly uninformed and unjustifiable opinion in light of what is known about Rodriguez’s mental health, and the fact that Mr. Rodriguez himself asked not to be released from prison. Not only does Mr. Rodriguez’s mother have every right to plea for mercy on his behalf, but given the facts of the case there should be no question as to whether the death penalty is warranted. Mr. Rodriguez and his victim were let down by the prison system that set him free; he does not deserve a state sanctioned death, nor the condemnation of ignoramuses like Mr. Porter.